Abstract
Short term studies have found that stormwater biofiltration systems, also known as bioretention systems or raingardens, are very effective in reducing heavy metal concentrations. However, their long-term treatment performance, as well as the spatial and temporal accumulation of metals within these systems remain uncertain. This paper reports on a large scale field study that assessed the changes over time of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) levels in biofilters varying in age, design, and catchment characteristics. The survey incorporated 29 biofilters in 2006/7 and 49 biofilters, in 2014/15, located in three major Australian cities (Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney). Noting that these results are influenced by having just one industrial site with 25 filters measured at that site Catchment characteristics were significantly correlated with metal accumulation rates. Biofilters in catchments with current or past industrial activities had elevated heavy metal concentrations in the filter media. Zinc concentrations in the surface 0–100 mm exceed both soil quality and ecological guidelines. In contrast, heavy metal concentrations in residential catchments are unlikely to (ever) reach levels that exceed soil quality guidelines for human health, although zinc concentrations approach ecological guideline criteria.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 721-731 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Hydrology |
| Volume | 567 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2018 |
Keywords
- Heavy metals
- Media
- Plants
- Rain gardens
- Stormwater biofilters
- Stormwater bioretention
Cite this
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Accumulation of heavy metals in stormwater bioretention media : A field study of temporal and spatial variation. / Al-Ameri, Mohammed; Hatt, Belinda; Le Coustumer, Sebastien; Fletcher, Tim; Payne, Emily; Deletic, Ana.
In: Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 567, 01.12.2018, p. 721-731.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Accumulation of heavy metals in stormwater bioretention media
T2 - A field study of temporal and spatial variation
AU - Al-Ameri, Mohammed
AU - Hatt, Belinda
AU - Le Coustumer, Sebastien
AU - Fletcher, Tim
AU - Payne, Emily
AU - Deletic, Ana
PY - 2018/12/1
Y1 - 2018/12/1
N2 - Short term studies have found that stormwater biofiltration systems, also known as bioretention systems or raingardens, are very effective in reducing heavy metal concentrations. However, their long-term treatment performance, as well as the spatial and temporal accumulation of metals within these systems remain uncertain. This paper reports on a large scale field study that assessed the changes over time of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) levels in biofilters varying in age, design, and catchment characteristics. The survey incorporated 29 biofilters in 2006/7 and 49 biofilters, in 2014/15, located in three major Australian cities (Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney). Noting that these results are influenced by having just one industrial site with 25 filters measured at that site Catchment characteristics were significantly correlated with metal accumulation rates. Biofilters in catchments with current or past industrial activities had elevated heavy metal concentrations in the filter media. Zinc concentrations in the surface 0–100 mm exceed both soil quality and ecological guidelines. In contrast, heavy metal concentrations in residential catchments are unlikely to (ever) reach levels that exceed soil quality guidelines for human health, although zinc concentrations approach ecological guideline criteria.
AB - Short term studies have found that stormwater biofiltration systems, also known as bioretention systems or raingardens, are very effective in reducing heavy metal concentrations. However, their long-term treatment performance, as well as the spatial and temporal accumulation of metals within these systems remain uncertain. This paper reports on a large scale field study that assessed the changes over time of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) levels in biofilters varying in age, design, and catchment characteristics. The survey incorporated 29 biofilters in 2006/7 and 49 biofilters, in 2014/15, located in three major Australian cities (Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney). Noting that these results are influenced by having just one industrial site with 25 filters measured at that site Catchment characteristics were significantly correlated with metal accumulation rates. Biofilters in catchments with current or past industrial activities had elevated heavy metal concentrations in the filter media. Zinc concentrations in the surface 0–100 mm exceed both soil quality and ecological guidelines. In contrast, heavy metal concentrations in residential catchments are unlikely to (ever) reach levels that exceed soil quality guidelines for human health, although zinc concentrations approach ecological guideline criteria.
KW - Heavy metals
KW - Media
KW - Plants
KW - Rain gardens
KW - Stormwater biofilters
KW - Stormwater bioretention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044262155&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.03.027
DO - 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.03.027
M3 - Article
VL - 567
SP - 721
EP - 731
JO - Journal of Hydrology
JF - Journal of Hydrology
SN - 0022-1694
ER -